California will be the stage as Jose Ramirez and Richard ‘RC’ Commey will battle in 12-rounds of boxing in the main event on March 25 at Save Mart Center in Fresno.
There will also be a world title unification clash, as WBA minimumweight world champion Seniesa ‘Super Bad’ Estrada collides with WBC world champ Tina Ruppercht.
This card will be airing on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN + at 10 p.m.
Top Rank Boxing and DiBella Entertainment will help to promote this card, and for those interested in purchasing tickets can do so at $29 on January 13.
Ramirez (27-1, 17 KOs) who is a California-native, returns home to the Save Mart Center, which has hosted six of his previous fights. Jose has had a bit of a rollercoaster ride thus far, as in 2021 he had a loss to Josh Taylor for the undisputed junior welterweight title. Things went from low to high when Ramirez rebounded last March with a unanimous decision victory over former two-weight world champion Jose Pedraza.
Things have been in favor for Ramirez, as he has been amongst the sport’s best 140-pounders since winning the WBC world title over Amir Imam in March 2018. Jose has defended that title twice, as he has been able to earn victories over Maruice Hooker in what was a six bound bout that unified the WBC and WBO titles.
“Fresno and the Save Mart Center hold a special place in my heart, and I am blessed to be able fight in front of my Central Valley fans once again,” Ramirez said. “Richard Commey is a championship fighter with everything to gain. I expect the best version of Commey on March 25. My goal is to become champion again, and I am more motivated than ever to prove that I am the best junior welterweight in the world.”
“Ramirez is motivated like I have never seen, and he’s out to prove some things,” said Rick Mirigian, Ramirez’s manager. “It all starts in Fresno in front of 15,000 hometown fans.”
Commey (30-4-1, 27 KOs) who is from Accra, Ghana , was able to earn a reputation as one of the top lightweights, winning Commonwealth honors before capturing the IBF world title in February 2018.
Commey said, “I want to thank my team for putting me on the path to fulfilling my dream of becoming a two-weight world champion. I also want to thank Bob Arum and Top Rank for once again showing faith in me by allowing me to headline against a formidable opponent in Jose Ramirez. I’m up for the challenge, and I intend to make Ghana and all my fans around the world proud.”
Estrada (23-0, 9 KOs), from East Los Angeles, California, is returning to her home state and is looking to unify the world titles fo the first time in her career. This talented veteran has been competing at a world class level in three weight classes. In 2021, Estrada had a taste of gold by capturing the WBA minimumweight and WBO light flyweight titles. Top Rank had spotted this star last year and she has been able to return from a nearly 11-month layoff in November to shut out Jazmin Gala Vaillarino.
“I want to give Tina credit for being a world champion who isn’t afraid of a unification fight, unlike Yokasta Valle,” Estrada said. “Since we couldn’t get Yokasta into the ring, we decided to do one better and fight the woman who beat her. The Fresno fans are passionate, and they are in for a great show.”
Tuppercht (12-0-1, 3 KOs), from Augsburg Germany, has been able to have five defenses of the world title. Rupperch had been able to edge former world champ Katia Gutierrez by split decision. ‘After a year away from the ring, she has been able to dominate Peruvian vet Rocio Gaspar and that is what set up the Estrada showdown.
“To fight in America against a fellow world champion in a world title unification is a dream come true for me,” Rupprecht said. “Seniesa is considered one of the sport’s best fighters, and I look forward to seeing who is the true number one in the division. This will be a Fight of the Year candidate and another huge night for female boxing. I’m going to be victorious and return to Germany with two world title belts.”
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